2nd MAW News

Archive: July, 2005

AL ASAD, Iraq - The Marines in the administrative section of Marine Aircraft Group 26 pose for a group photograph accompanied by the group headquarters squadron commanding officer and the group adjutant July 19. Considered the backbone of the group, the administrators work 24 hours a day, seven days a week to make life easier for the more than 3,000 service members and Department of Defense civilians in the group. - AL ASAD, Iraq - The Marines in the administrative section of Marine Aircraft Group 26 pose for a group photograph accompanied by the group headquarters squadron commanding officer and the group adjutant July 19. Considered the backbone of the group, the administrators work 24 hours a day, seven days a week to make life easier for the more than 3,000 service members and Department of Defense civilians in the group.

MAG-26 administrators push more than paper to ease concerns

The daily operations of a unit with over 3,000 members could not be accomplished without someone helping keep its personnel focused on its mission. The Marines in the administrative section of Marine Aircraft Group 26 do that and more 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Under the leadership and guidance of Chief Warrant Officer Rawley H. Colemon,

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Sgt. Wayne A. Switzer, EA-6B plane captain and native of Clinton, Miss., directs a Prowler down the tarmac on its way to the flightline. - Sgt. Wayne A. Switzer, EA-6B plane captain and native of Clinton, Miss., directs a Prowler down the tarmac on its way to the flightline.

Seahawks conclude Iraqi tour, make mark in history

Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4 started its journey home today. After seven months in a deployed combat environment, the 190 Marines are ending their deployment that began in mid January. “All the Marines were very eager to support [Operation Iraqi Freedom],” said Sgt. Joseph A. Esala, electronics section, a native of Statesboro,

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AL ASAD, Iraq ? Sergeant Edwin E. Medina-Acevedo, an aviation supply clerk from Miami assigned to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26, talks with Army Col. George R. Harris, commander of the 326th Area Support Group and Leavenworth, Kan., native, after the unveiling of the Memorial Lane sign July 21. One of the streets aboard the air base was dedicated in honor of those whose lives have been lost in support of the Global War on Terrorism. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? Sergeant Edwin E. Medina-Acevedo, an aviation supply clerk from Miami assigned to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26, talks with Army Col. George R. Harris, commander of the 326th Area Support Group and Leavenworth, Kan., native, after the unveiling of the Memorial Lane sign July 21. One of the streets aboard the air base was dedicated in honor of those whose lives have been lost in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

Service members in Al Asad honor fallen warriors

Dozens of service members here gathered July 21 to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice during the course of their duties in support of the Global War on Terrorism. During a small ceremony inside the military support complex, one of the streets aboard the air base was dedicated as Memorial Lane in honor of those whose lives have been

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AL TAQADDUM, Iraq ? Sergeant Ryan Bogedin, a Westland, Mich., native, and Lance Cpl. Edgar Lugo, a Goshen, N.Y., native, both flightline mechanics on Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364?s phase crew, put an engine together after inspecting it as part of a 150-hour phase inspection. The phase crew has completed 21 phase inspections since their arrival in March. - AL TAQADDUM, Iraq ? Sergeant Ryan Bogedin, a Westland, Mich., native, and Lance Cpl. Edgar Lugo, a Goshen, N.Y., native, both flightline mechanics on Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364?s phase crew, put an engine together after inspecting it as part of a 150-hour phase inspection. The phase crew has completed 21 phase inspections since their arrival in March.

Phase crew keeps Purple Foxes flying

For the Purple Foxes of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, conducting casualty evacuation missions while providing general support for the forward deployed 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing puts a lot of flight time on their helicopters. Keeping their aircraft in the fight is a big challenge while deployed here in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The

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AL TAQADDUM, Iraq?Gunnery Sgt. Nicholas Bykowetz, Flight Line Intelligence Center Chief, for Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron 775, is supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom in Al Taqaddum, Iraq. Bykowetz first joined the Marine Corps after high school, in 1968, and served in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in 1972, and then served off and on in the Marine Corps Reserves. In 1990 he applied for the active reserves and was accepted in 1991. Since then he has remained competitive as a career designated active duty reservist. Bykowetz will soon reach 20 years of active service and plans to retire in 2007 with 22 active duty years. - AL TAQADDUM, Iraq?Gunnery Sgt. Nicholas Bykowetz, Flight Line Intelligence Center Chief, for Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron 775, is supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom in Al Taqaddum, Iraq. Bykowetz first joined the Marine Corps after high school, in 1968, and served in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in 1972, and then served off and on in the Marine Corps Reserves. In 1990 he applied for the active reserves and was accepted in 1991. Since then he has remained competitive as a career designated active duty reservist. Bykowetz will soon reach 20 years of active service and plans to retire in 2007 with 22 active duty years.

From Vietnam to Iraq: Motor City Marine continues to serve

In 1968 as the Vietnam War raged, Nicholas Bykowetz was finishing his senior year of high school. He pondered what to do next. Located inside the Michigan Unemployment Compensation Commission was a small Marine Corps recruiting station. The Detroit native was about to make a life altering decision.Born in March 1950, Bykowetz, of Allen Park,

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AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq ? Iraqi children smile after receiving toys from members of the 5th Civil Affairs Group, 2nd Marine Division. Marines and Sailors of Marine Aircraft Group-26 have gathered more than 15,000 items that members of 5th CAG have delivered to the needy in the community. The items come from many sharing supporters in the United States. - AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq ? Iraqi children smile after receiving toys from members of the 5th Civil Affairs Group, 2nd Marine Division. Marines and Sailors of Marine Aircraft Group-26 have gathered more than 15,000 items that members of 5th CAG have delivered to the needy in the community. The items come from many sharing supporters in the United States.

Service members in Al Asad strive to win hearts, minds

The Marines and sailors in Marine Aircraft Group 26 are going above and beyond when it comes to winning the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people. Shortly after arriving at this former Iraqi air base, a few of the service members in the headquarters squadron began collecting toys, sports gear and kids’ clothes to donate to those who need them most

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AL ASAD, Iraq?Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Wagner, avionics technician and native of Fort Smith, Ark., checks various instruments that allow the F/A-18 Hornet?s computer stay in sync with other components on the jet. Wagner joined the Marine Corps at the end of 2003 and has been deployed here for almost seven months with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224. - AL ASAD, Iraq?Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Wagner, avionics technician and native of Fort Smith, Ark., checks various instruments that allow the F/A-18 Hornet?s computer stay in sync with other components on the jet. Wagner joined the Marine Corps at the end of 2003 and has been deployed here for almost seven months with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224.

Arkansas Marine moves up in the Corps

As a young man, Matthew Aaron Wagner loved the outdoors. In his hometown of Fort Smith, Ark., Wagner enjoyed hunting, fishing, and simply, cruising the country roads. He was by all accounts a good student growing up, but as he puts it, “I was always country, and did everything a country boy should do.” Wagner is a 2002 graduate of Southside

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2nd MAW Marine named Aviation Ground Marine of the Year

Staff Sgt. Kurtis D. Voss was named the 2005 Jack W. Demmond, Aviation Ground Marine of the Year by the Marine Corps Aviation Association July 18. The association recognizes Marines annually for their Marine Corps service and who have contributed to, and demonstrated excellence in Marine Aviation. Staff Sgt. Voss is currently deployed in

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AL ASAD, Iraq ? Captain Tony Dill, aircraft maintenance officer assigned to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26, was selected as the recipient of the 2005 Marine Corps Aviation Association?s Earl Hattaway Marine Aviation Ground Officer of the Year Award. Dill, a 1984 graduate of Liberty High School in his native Bedford, Va., enlisted in the Marine Corps that year and moved up the ranks to where he is today. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? Captain Tony Dill, aircraft maintenance officer assigned to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26, was selected as the recipient of the 2005 Marine Corps Aviation Association?s Earl Hattaway Marine Aviation Ground Officer of the Year Award. Dill, a 1984 graduate of Liberty High School in his native Bedford, Va., enlisted in the Marine Corps that year and moved up the ranks to where he is today.